"Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 is a work that has unforgettable melodies, tremendous drama, and warm lyricism all at once. It has the power to draw in anyone the moment they hear it, not just classical music lovers."
Pianist Bruce Liu described the appeal of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 this way in an email interview with The Seoul Economic Daily. The performance, held at Lotte Concert Hall on the 17th, is a subscription concert by the KBS Symphony Orchestra sponsored by The Seoul Economic Daily, conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Liu, winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition, will perform with the KBS Symphony Orchestra for the first time at this concert.
Regarding why the work has been loved for so long, Liu said, "It is a work that blends historical weight and emotional power well," adding, "As a pianist, no matter how many times I play it repeatedly, I always discover something new."
In his late 20s, he is also famous for comparing music to food or desserts. Asked to describe Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 1 as a dessert, he came up with three images.
The first movement is Black Forest cake. It is a rich, sweet traditional German cake made by layering whipped cream and cherries between soft chocolate sponge sheets. He explained that it is "very grand, dramatic, and has a magnificent scale." For the second movement, he compared it to an elegant and delicate dessert, calling it "music that is refined and sophisticated yet holds warmth and depth." Of the third movement, he said, "It is light, lively, and full of energy," evoking a crispy mille-feuille. He then added that this work, full of rich emotion and energy, "is not a low-calorie dessert (laughs)."
Liu stressed that even after winning the Chopin Competition, he has focused on exploring new musical possibilities rather than confining himself to a particular image. "Expectations from critics and audiences have grown, but I do not try to conform to them," he said. "These days, I am more interested in discovering something new within music and within myself than in proving something." He added, "True artistic growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and take risks."
Liu is known for having a free and improvisational playing style. "I prepare thoroughly until the performance, but once I am on stage, I try to forget that process and trust the moment," he said. "A performance standing at the boundary between control and improvisation makes music alive, rather than a technically perfect one."
Having once said, "I wish the piano could remain something like a hobby," he still thinks the same way. "I have become a professional pianist, but I do not want to lose the pure joy I felt when I first fell in love with music," Liu said. "I think the moment I feel music only as work, something important disappears." He added, "Food, travel, time with friends, and sometimes time doing nothing give new meaning to my music."
Asked what kind of musician he wants to become, he answered, "I want to be not just a good pianist, but a good musician and a good storyteller." He said, "Technique changes over time, but imagination, depth, and the ability to connect with people can grow throughout a lifetime," adding, "I want to always be a performer who puts his own story into music."
He also expressed anticipation for this concert. "I have great expectations about discovering the KBS Symphony Orchestra's unique sound and creating music together," he said. "I want to create a stage where fresh and improvisational energy is alive." Of Korean audiences, he said, "They listen to music with great concentration and respond warmly," adding, "I am grateful to be able to meet them again."
This concert opens with Beethoven's "Egmont Overture," followed by Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Bruce Liu as soloist. In the second half, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 is performed. With the dark and solemn "fate" theme running through all movements, the work depicts a journey through life that passes through despair and anguish to reach victory and joy. The same program will also be performed at Lotte Concert Hall on the 18th.
